Do you know how hard it is to get six grown children who are scattered around the country - some married, some with children - all (minus one son-in-law) in the same place at the same time, all together, when there is not a family wedding happening? It is very hard, practically unheard of, requires months-in-advance planning. It's a minor miracle and a gracious gift.
I am thinking back on that sweet time with our family together and feeling incredibly thankful for our children who all made the sacrifices of time and money to get there. They are now scattered quite widely again. In fact, as of 1:00 yesterday afternoon, none of our children were here, none even in this same city. Ouch! Not a situation this mother particularly likes. A couple are still in-state, but only one son, one sweet d-i-l, and one grandbaby will be in NC come tomorrow afternoon. They should get some kind of prize, don't you think?!
The porch swing sat empty this morning. Only the cat joined me as I sat in the quiet with my coffee, Bible, and books. Ah, but let's not think about that right now. Here, with minimal further comment, are a few wonderful reminders of our all-together, completely wonderful beach week ...
Good morning, babies.
I am thinking back on that sweet time with our family together and feeling incredibly thankful for our children who all made the sacrifices of time and money to get there. They are now scattered quite widely again. In fact, as of 1:00 yesterday afternoon, none of our children were here, none even in this same city. Ouch! Not a situation this mother particularly likes. A couple are still in-state, but only one son, one sweet d-i-l, and one grandbaby will be in NC come tomorrow afternoon. They should get some kind of prize, don't you think?!
The porch swing sat empty this morning. Only the cat joined me as I sat in the quiet with my coffee, Bible, and books. Ah, but let's not think about that right now. Here, with minimal further comment, are a few wonderful reminders of our all-together, completely wonderful beach week ...
Aunt Kailie and Uncle Matthew and Clara, wave jumping
Good morning, babies.
Not only were all 14 of us there, but we had the privilege of times together with my parents and sister's family. Barbeque on Sunday night supplied by my mom. And see all those peaches in the middle of the island. Thank goodness, McCleod's is on the way to the beach. We stop there, coming and going, every beach trip.
We even managed a family photo which isn't half bad. (Cue the comments from the 20 somethings about photo sharing online and the unnecessary imposition of posing while everyone gets a picture with their own camera or phone). Here we are ... great grandparents (my beautiful Mama and Daddy), grandparents (that's Coty and me!), Great Aunt Anne and Uncle Rusty, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. That's us, ya'll.
Porch time. Beach version.
The last time this particular group of people was all together (minus the children, of course) was at Lil's wedding. Erin was 13, Matthew was 3!
My children can cook! And they did.
Each one took a dinner, planned the menu, and cooked for the rest of us.
We ate very well.
Aunt Yogi supervises handstands.
Always a baby to hold and play with ...
Some of us made a visit to one of my favorite places on earth, Brookgreen Gardens,
which was only a couple of miles from our house.
Sandcastles ...
Walks with uncles ...
Lots of Frizcup. These two are the champs.
Lots of cornhole on the beach
Coty and all 5 sons went for a run together on the beach on Father's Day morning!
And now, we're all scattered ... the guys from left to right in New York City, Cary (NC - he's the one that gets the prize ; ), Minneapolis, Nashville, and Denver. And Erin, on her way back to rural New York state near the Vermont border.
Looking forward, as always, to the next time we gather, whenever and wherever that may be!
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